The 1929 Durant 70 Series came from an ambitious period in American motoring, when independent makes competed by offering stylish, practical transportation for buyers moving into the late 1920s automobile market. For owners preserving one today, tire choice is a big part of keeping that prewar character intact. The 1929 Durant 70 Series uses bias-ply fitments in 29X5.50 and 550-19, both tied to the same traditional 19-inch wheel size. Available choices in 550-19 include blackwall and wide whitewall versions in BFGoodrich's Silvertown Classic Bias Ply line. The real decision is usually how closely the tire's look and sizing convention match the car's restoration goals and wheel setup.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1929 Durant 70 Series
The 1929 Durant 70 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire size designations, and both are associated with the same covered sub-model. Since both fitments center on a 19-inch wheel application, the main question is not only size naming but also which sizing convention best matches the wheels on the car and the appearance you want to maintain.
29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section size, meaning the first number refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter and the second refers to section width in inches. On the 1929 Durant 70 Series, it represents a traditional bias-ply fitment suited to the car's late-1920s tire profile and appearance. This format is especially familiar to owners researching early automotive sizing conventions rather than later numeric passenger-car designations. It is a useful size to evaluate when the goal is preserving an authentically vintage presentation while still confirming the actual wheel dimensions mounted on the vehicle.
550-19 is a numeric bias-ply size in which 5.50 refers to nominal section width in inches and 19 identifies the rim diameter. For the 1929 Durant 70 Series, this is a traditional prewar-style fitment and the size with visible product choice, including BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply options. Buyers can choose between a blackwall and a 3.25-inch wide whitewall, which changes the car's visual character without moving away from the correct vintage construction type. This size makes sense when the wheel is confirmed as a 19-inch application and a restoration-oriented replacement is the priority.
Fitment is straightforward for the covered 1929 Durant 70 Series sub-model, with the same pair of primary bias-ply size designations applying throughout. Checking the exact sub-model still matters because it confirms that the car falls within this shared fitment rather than a different Durant application.
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1929 Durant 70 Series 6 Cyl.
The 1929 Durant 70 Series 6 Cyl. uses the same two primary bias-ply fitment designations used across this covered application, centered on traditional 19-inch wheel sizing. That keeps tire selection focused on matching the wheel setup and deciding whether a blackwall or wide whitewall presentation better suits the car's restoration direction.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1929 Durant 70 Series Tires for Sale
Available 550-19 tires for the 1929 Durant 70 Series come from BFGoodrich in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series. The main comparison points are sidewall presentation, with both blackwall and wide whitewall options, along with the shared 19-inch rim fitment and narrow vintage rim-width range.
These 1929 Durant 70 Series tire FAQs focus on the two bias-ply size designations, 19-inch wheel fitment, appearance choices, and the practical checks that matter before putting a restored prewar car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1929 Durant 70 Series?
The 1929 Durant 70 Series uses two primary bias-ply tire size designations: 29X5.50 and 550-19. Both are tied to this vehicle application, and both represent traditional vintage fitments for a late-1920s car rather than a modern radial or modern metric sizing system.
The important next step is confirming which designation matches the wheels and tire setup already on the car. Antique vehicles are sometimes refitted over the years, so wheel size, wheel width, and the actual size marked on any existing tires should be checked before choosing a replacement.
What size rim does a 1929 Durant 70 Series use?
The 1929 Durant 70 Series uses a 19-inch rim with its 550-19 bias-ply fitment. That 19-inch wheel size is the critical wheel-diameter reference when matching a replacement tire for this application.
Because antique tire sizing can appear in different formats, it helps to verify the wheel itself rather than relying only on a tire label. Measure the wheel, confirm that the mounted wheels match each other, and check width as well, especially if the car has been restored or parts have been changed over time.
What does 29X5.50 mean on a 1929 Durant 70 Series?
29X5.50 is an antique diameter-by-section tire size. In that format, 29 refers to the tire's approximate overall diameter in inches, while 5.50 refers to the nominal section width in inches, reflecting an older sizing style common on vehicles from this era.
That older designation can look unfamiliar next to a size like 550-19, so it is worth confirming how the car is currently equipped. A buyer comparing these size systems should check the actual wheel diameter and overall fitment on the car rather than assuming the naming style alone answers the replacement question.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 550-19 tire for a 1929 Durant 70 Series?
The main considerations are staying with the correct 550-19 bias-ply construction, confirming the 19-inch wheel size, and choosing the sidewall style that suits the car's intended presentation. In this size, BFGoodrich offers Silvertown Classic Bias Ply choices with either a blackwall or a wide whitewall treatment.
Appearance is only part of the decision, so wheel width and general tire specifications still matter. The available 550-19 products share a narrow vintage rim-width range and the same maximum load figure of 1040 at 32 psi, which helps keep the comparison centered on fitment and visual character.
What sidewall styles are available for 1929 Durant 70 Series tires?
For the available 550-19 fitment, the 1929 Durant 70 Series can be equipped with either a blackwall or a wide whitewall tire. Both are bias-ply tires in the BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series, so the visible difference is mainly the sidewall presentation.
That choice affects the car's overall look more than its basic construction. A blackwall keeps a simpler, more understated appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger period-style visual statement, so the right selection depends on whether the car is being finished as a restrained driver or a more formal restoration.
How do I choose between the available 550-19 tires for a 1929 Durant 70 Series?
The available 550-19 options are closely related in construction and fitment, so the biggest distinction is sidewall style. Both are BFGoodrich Silvertown Classic Bias Ply tires with the same 19-inch rim diameter, the same vintage rim-width range, and the same listed maximum load capacity.
That makes the decision more about the look you want on the car and the details of the existing wheel setup. Comparing blackwall versus wide whitewall, along with checking wheel condition and sizing, usually does more to narrow the choice than searching for major mechanical differences between the two products.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1929 Durant 70 Series?
A period-style 1929 Durant 70 Series should stay with one of its proper bias-ply fitment formats, either 29X5.50 or 550-19, depending on the wheel setup and the sizing convention being followed on the car. That keeps the vehicle aligned with the look and tire construction expected from a late-1920s automobile.
Within the available 550-19 choices, the visual decision comes down largely to blackwall versus wide whitewall. Owners pursuing exact historical detail should compare the car against marque references, old photos, or restoration documentation, since period-style fitment is not always the same as a confirmed factory-delivered appearance.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1929 Durant 70 Series restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1929 Durant 70 Series because tire size and construction have a strong effect on stance, wheel proportion, and overall authenticity of presentation. Using the proper bias-ply sizing language for the car's era also helps the finished vehicle look visually coherent.
Fitment accuracy also affects practical ownership, not just appearance. A restored car should have its wheel diameter, wheel width, and tire clearance checked carefully so the chosen tire works with the existing setup, especially when the vehicle has had replacement wheels, brake work, or other restoration-era changes.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1929 Durant 70 Series?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1929 Durant 70 Series even when the tire size itself appears correct. Replacement wheels, brake changes, suspension work, or body and fender adjustments can alter the space available and change how a traditional bias-ply tire sits on the car.
An antique vehicle deserves a careful visual and physical check before new tires are installed. Verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at full steering movement, and inspect whether the car has been altered from stock dimensions over the years, since even small changes can matter on a narrow prewar chassis.
What should I inspect before driving a 1929 Durant 70 Series on new tires?
Before driving a 1929 Durant 70 Series on new tires, inspect the wheels for condition and correct sizing, confirm proper inflation, and make sure the tires seat correctly and clear the body and steering components. A prewar car should also be checked for any signs of looseness or suspension wear.
Road use on an older vehicle is safer when the rest of the chassis is ready for it. Look over the tires regularly for air loss, cuts, bulges, or unusual wear, and give extra attention to the car after the first short drive so any clearance or mounting issues can be caught early.
How should 550-19 tires on a collector 1929 Durant 70 Series be maintained?
550-19 tires on a collector 1929 Durant 70 Series should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspections, and storage practices that protect the rubber from heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone exposure. Collector cars that sit for long periods still need periodic tire attention even when mileage is low.
A low-use antique car can develop age-related tire issues long before the tread looks worn out. Checking for sidewall cracking, flat spotting, air loss, and changes in ride or steering feel helps catch problems early, and moving the car occasionally can help reduce stress from extended stationary storage.
